Bandits
By Abdullahi Abubakar
Terror struck again in Kwara State on Wednesday evening as suspected bandits stormed a mining site in Oreke-Okeigbo, Ifelodun Local Government Area, killing two police officers.
They also abducted two workers, including a Chinese national in the process.
The daring attack has sent shockwaves across the community, fueling renewed concerns over rising insecurity in the region.
According to witnesses, the assailants, in their numbers and armed with sophisticated weapons, descended on the site around 6:30pm. Unconfirmed sources said they were over 70.
In a coordinated ambush, they overpowered the security details on duty, opening fire on the officers and carting away their rifles after the fatal assault.
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the incident, identifying the slain officers as ASP Haruna Watsai and Inspector Tukur Ogah, both attached to the 45 Police Mobile Force in Abuja.
The officers were on official protective assignment to safeguard the Chinese-operated mining facility when they were gunned down.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the abducted victims were named as Mr. Sam Xie Wie, a Chinese investor, and Mr. David Adenaiye, a Kogi State indigene working at the site.
Their whereabouts remain unknown as security agencies intensify search and rescue efforts.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adekimi Ojo, has condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as a cowardly and callous act.
He assured the public that tactical and intelligence-led operations were already underway to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The Command is working in close synergy with other security agencies and community stakeholders to strengthen its presence in the area and ensure this does not happen again,” the statement read.
Residents were also urged to remain calm and cooperate by providing credible information that could assist in the ongoing investigation.
